Like an Old Fashioned? Try these similar whisky drinks next

Sazerac

The Sazerac is probably the closest drink to an Old Fashioned, that isn’t an Old Fashioned. So if you like one, bets are you’ll like the other. 

A traditional Old Fashioned uses bourbon, while a Sazerac uses rye whisky which makes it more peppery. As breakers of tradition, we don’t use either. Instead we mix Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel to give our Scotch Old Fashioned a honeyed, smooth finish. And when it comes to our Sazerac recipe, our 17 Year Old Whisky brings a hint of spice. 

We do play by the rules when it comes to adding absinthe and a lemon peel garnish though. This is what makes the Sazerac slightly more complex and herbal.

Whisky Sour

The Old Fashioned and the Whisky Sour have plenty in common. They’re both original whisky cocktails with a longstanding history. They’re both easy to make. And they both taste great made with Ballantine’s.

The key difference is in the Whisky Sour’s addition of lemon juice, which gives the drink its citrus edge. Plus a frothy top and silky texture achieved by shaking the ingredients with egg white or aquafaba.

If you’re a beginner to whisky cocktails or not so keen on stronger drinks, the Whisky Sour is a great place to start and there’s plenty of ways to mix it up like our sweet, zesty Passion Fruit Whisky Sour.

White Orchid

We wanted to make a vanilla and whisky cocktail, so we made the White Orchid, a lightly sweet drink that celebrates our 21 Year Old blend. If you like discovering the complex notes of whisky, this one’s a great sipper. Natural notes of apple, liquorice and sweet vanilla combine with a frozen flower garnish that makes it seriously impressive to serve.

Rob Roy

The Rob Roy has very similar components to an Old Fashioned: whisky, bitters and sweetener. But this alternative swaps straight up sugar for sweet vermouth. Fortified wine is making a comeback in cocktail making, thanks to its fruity richness and complex flavours. And we love its addition to a Rob Roy, making a deep, full-bodied drink that’s super smooth when chilled.

Whisky Bitters

Like an Old Fashioned but want it even simpler? Take away the orange and make a Whisky and Bitters. This classic cocktail is as easy as it gets without going solo on the whisky. The sugar and bitters still mix things up. But there’s no need for fancy orange peel.

Paperplane

The Paperplane isn’t exactly similar to an Old Fashioned. But it’s a great way of trying something new. Aperol and Amaro Nonino add a bittersweet taste to Ballantine’s Finest scotch whisky. With a dash of fresh lemon juice to keep things fresh. It’s a rich pink drink perfect for summer sipping.

Manhattan

The Manhattan is as timeless as an Old Fashioned. And that’s not where the similarities end. Both use whisky and Angostura bitters. But the Manhattan brings the addition of sweet vermouth to mellow the whisky with fruity, caramelly notes. A traditional Manhattan uses rye or bourbon, but feel free to make it your way with blended scotch to give this drink more depth.

Whisky Tonic

If you like your whisky diluted but without adding too much flavour, a Whisky and Tonic could be your new go to. It’s a lighter, longer alternative to the flavours of an Old Fashioned. With extra bubbles and bittersweet taste. 

Whisky on the Rocks

If you like the simplicity of an Old Fashioned, it could be worth giving a Whisky on the Rocks a go. Sometimes you can’t beat a simple pour of scotch over ice. The lack of other ingredients gives the whisky’s individual notes a chance to shine. So pour a dram and get tasting.

There’s plenty more whisky drinks to make your own with Ballantine’s. From Whisky Sour variations to classic cocktails and whisky highballs, there’s no wrong way to get mixing.